Nicoya Peninsula Second In The World Among The Five Hotposts Of Health and Vitality

Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica – The Blue Zones is the name given to the five world regions celebrated for the health and longevity of their populations. Second on the list is Nicoya peninsula in Costa Rica, where this 101-year-old woman hails from

QTRAVEL (CNN) Going on vacation could help you uncover the secret to a long and healthy life — if you pick the right destination.

It’s no secret that certain populations around the world live longer and produce a greater number of centenarians than others.

More importantly, these marvels of nature remain healthy and active as they enter the three-figure age range.

Just how they do it remains something of a mystery, but the clues indicate it could all be down to the food.

Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica – Native tubors, such as yams, are a common ingredient. Pictured, a traditional Costa Rican casado meal with rice, beans and plantain.

“There are five cultures around the world with the highest proportion of centenarians globally,” says David Katz, president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. “They set the standard.”

Katz is referring to the communities of the Blue Zones — places in Europe, South America, Asia and the United States where people live long and are largely free of chronic disease.

“They live an enviable standard,” Katz adds.

These hotspots of health and vitality are located in Ikaria, Greece; Okinawa, Japan; Ogliastra, Sardinia; Loma Linda, California; and the Nicoya peninsula, Costa Rica.

“They live long, they prosper and check out peacefully and that’s as good as it gets,” says Katz.

He acknowledges that other cultures’ cuisines, such as the complex spices of South Asia or the fresh tastes of the Mediterranean, also bring benefits to the dinner table.

Sardinia, Italy and Ikaria, Greece

“[Both of these regions] tend to be working the land, are agrarian and produce their own food,” says Katz.
This personal production of food brings two benefits: It keeps folk fit and ensure they have fresher food that they’re more likely to appreciate.

Animals are also kept, but are more expensive to slaughter and so eaten less frequently. “[They eat] very little meat proportionally,” says Katz.

The region sets some of the rules of the widely revered Mediterranean diet.